UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Parliament Question: Targets of biotech Industry

Q1. In the context of India's biotechnology industry policy, the three 'E's in the 'BioE3 Policy' stand for which one of the following?

  • A. Economy, Environment and Employment
  • B. Economy, Ecology and Entrepreneurship
  • C. Environment, Energy and Employment
  • D. Economy, Education and Environment

Q2. With reference to India's two anchor biotechnology policy documents, consider the following statements: 1. The National Biotechnology Development Strategy set a target of a USD 100 billion bioeconomy. 2. The BioE3 Policy was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2024. 3. The BioE3 Policy prioritises innovation-driven support to six thematic sectors of biomanufacturing. 4. The National Biotechnology Development Strategy established Bio-AI Hubs and Biofoundries as its 'BioEnablers'. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The National Biotechnology Development Strategy set a target of a USD 100 billion bioeconomy.
  2. The BioE3 Policy was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2024.
  3. The BioE3 Policy prioritises innovation-driven support to six thematic sectors of biomanufacturing.
  4. The National Biotechnology Development Strategy established Bio-AI Hubs and Biofoundries as its 'BioEnablers'.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the size and trajectory of India's bioeconomy, consider the following statements: 1. India's bioeconomy grew from about USD 10 billion in 2014 to USD 165.7 billion in 2024. 2. The bioeconomy is projected to roughly double from about USD 151 billion in 2023 to USD 300 billion by 2030. 3. India's bioeconomy contributed about 10% to the national GDP in 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India's bioeconomy grew from about USD 10 billion in 2014 to USD 165.7 billion in 2024.
  2. The bioeconomy is projected to roughly double from about USD 151 billion in 2023 to USD 300 billion by 2030.
  3. India's bioeconomy contributed about 10% to the national GDP in 2024.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. India's official bioeconomy estimates (such as the USD 165.7 billion figure for 2024) are compiled and released under which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology
  • B. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology
  • D. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q5. Which one of the following is the flagship bio-incubation programme of BIRAC, comprising the largest network of bio-incubation centres (about 75) supporting biotech start-ups?

  • A. BioNEST
  • B. E-YUVA
  • C. Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)
  • D. SEED Fund

Q6. With reference to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and BIRAC, consider the following statements: 1. The Department of Biotechnology was established in 1986. 2. BIRAC was established in 2012 as a Section 8 not-for-profit Public Sector Enterprise under DBT. 3. BIRAC functions as an attached office directly under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Department of Biotechnology was established in 1986.
  2. BIRAC was established in 2012 as a Section 8 not-for-profit Public Sector Enterprise under DBT.
  3. BIRAC functions as an attached office directly under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Under the BioE3 Policy, the 'BioEnablers' being set up include Biofoundries. In this context, a Biofoundry is best described as:

  • A. An automated, integrated facility for designing, building and testing engineered biological systems to scale up bio-based products
  • B. A financial fund that provides seed capital exclusively to biopharmaceutical start-ups
  • C. A statutory regulator that grants approvals for release of genetically modified organisms
  • D. A national network of cold-storage units for preserving plant and microbial germplasm

Q8. The Bio-RIDE scheme, with an outlay of about Rs 9,197 crore for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, was approved by which one of the following?

  • A. Union Cabinet
  • B. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
  • C. Department of Biotechnology on its own authority
  • D. Governing Council of NITI Aayog

Q9. As per India's official bioeconomy classification for 2024, which one of the following sub-verticals accounted for the largest share (about 47%) of the bioeconomy?

  • A. BioIndustrial
  • B. BioPharma
  • C. BioAgri
  • D. BioIT and Research Services

Q10. India's biotech start-up ecosystem, which grew from about 5,365 start-ups in 2021 to nearly 13,000 in 2025, is nurtured primarily through incubation and seed-funding support operationalised by which one of the following agencies?

  • A. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
  • B. Technology Development Board (TDB)
  • C. National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB)
  • D. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)